According to the American Diabetes Association’s most recent figures, over 9% of the U.S. population has diabetes, and approximately 1.25 million children and adults in this country reportedly have type 1 diabetes. With so many Americans afflicted with the condition, early detection and education is critical to effectively managing the disease.

Common symptoms of diabetes:

• Frequent urination • Extreme fatigue • Feeling of extreme or frequent thirst • Feelings of extreme hunger even if you are eating well • Blurry vision • Cuts/bruises that don’t heal quickly • Loss of weight even if you are eating more (type 1) • Tingling, numbness or pain in the feet or hands (type 2)

Early detection and treatment of diabetes is key to the prevention of further complications from the disease.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when the body cannot properly process the food it takes in as energy. Generally, when we eat, our food is converted to glucose, which our body then in turn utilizes for energy. The pancreas produces the hormone, insulin which transports glucose to the cells of the body. Diabetes inhibits either the production of insulin or its efficiency to help glucose get into the cells. Because of this, sugars accumulate in the blood, causing serious health concerns.

Diabetes can lead to major, even fatal medical conditions including, heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations of the toes, feet and legs.

The seventh leading cause of death in the United States is now diabetes.

Diabetic support supplements may help with the prevention and management of the disease.